Florida Panther

Scientific Name: Puma concolor coryi

The Florida panther is one of the most endangered large mammals in the world, with wild populations estimated to be less than 80 individuals in a restricted range in South Florida. Florida panthers are a subspecies of cougar. Cougars are extremely agile and can climb trees or move down a mountainside with great ease. Their hindlimbs are longer than their forelimbs which is an adaptation for jumping. Their coat color works well as camouflage in many types of habitat. Cougars are known for their strength and have been known to take prey 2.4 times their own body weight. This is the largest ratio of prey weight to cat weight of all the big cats. Cougars are basically solitary, coming together only for mating. The females raise their kittens on their own. Gestation is 90 - 95 days. Kittens are weaned at six months. They may stay with their mother for up to twenty months and siblings may stay together for a few months after that.